Can you afford to date?

So, awhile ago I read a SF Chronicle article about how expensive it is to date in San Francisco. The author estimated that a date including driving, parking, eating and entertainment would run you about $203. Whew, that would be tough. So, Phil and I took the challenge to see what a Nevada County date would actually cost. Here's what we found:
Round trip to town, gas = 1.75
Parking 0
Dinner at Mateo's Public/tax/tip 42.00 (Phil had a great burger platter and a drink, I had the Kobe Beef sliders with salad and 2 glasses of wine, Yum)
A walk up/down Broad St. 0 (looking for entertainment)
Crepe and coffee for 2 at Classic Cafe 12.00 (tax and tip included)
3 piece Gypsy Band and tango dancers 0 at Classic Cafe (every Friday night!)
sub total $55.75
we planned to go to a movie also, but enjoyed the music so much we opted to stay. If we had gone to movie, that would have cost another $15.00, totaling $70.75, or roughly 35% of the San Fran date. SWEEEEEET.
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One thing I learned from Rachel Ray's "eating on $40 a day" is that when trying to economize, never order dessert at the restaurant. Not only are they usually $6-$8, but there's 20% on top for tax/tip, or the total for 2 people approx $20. Her suggestion is take a walk (walk off some of those dinner calories) and find a gelato or frozen yogurt shop, or small bakery. We recently discovered Treats in NC after a dinner out. It's a darling little Gelato/Ice Cream/Dessert shop in the alley next to Ike's French Quarter Cafe. The owner, Peggy Wright is the sweetest (oh, get it) person who happily serves you a wonderful array of Gelato's or a homemade dessert crepe. I had the Rose flavored Gelato, and it was heavenly. Phil opted for the Blue Moon coffee, and it was amazing. The total was $6, and the tiny little shop is so cute and fun to hang in. Try it! They are open in the evenings.
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Scooter's Pals Dog Rescue here is so dedicated to getting their Pitty and Pitty mixes a home before Christmas that they are willing to waive the adoption fee of $200 for the month of Nov/Dec. Founder Susan Wallace would really love to get the dogs out of boarding/foster homes and into their forever homes for the Holidays. These wonderful dogs have been neutered/spayed, all shots, microchipped (I almost said microwaved) and are on heartworm. They are most deserving of a real family of their own. So if you or someone you know has been thinking of adopting, please contact them at 350-2099 or check their pictures gallery at scooterspals.org. Scooters exists only through personal donations, and rescues dogs right off death row. They put lots of $$$ into each dog in order to save, transport, board and vet them while awaiting an adopter. Even if you are not interested in one of the pitty's, please consider a Scooter's dog. Thanks and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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I received a letter advising of a timber plan nearby a few months ago, but wasn't sure where. Well, it's begun, and it's only 3 lots above me. You have probably noticed all the vehicles on the steep part of the Big Hill. I'm hearing chain saws, large truck and big ass trees falling all day long. I'll have to hike up and see what info I can glean. I guess it will make a nice firebreak for us, but looks like their making a holy mess and clearcutting. Ugh.